|
TOPSAIL ISLAND, NORTH CAROLINA |
| CeeCee | Loggerhead
(Caretta caretta) |
Sub Adult;
15-18 years
Weight: 200+ lb.; Stranding Date: 12/11/97 Released 6/10/98 Gender undetermined |
| THE
INJURY OR ILLNESS:
|
CeeCee, named for Carteret County, was incidentally captured in a pound net set just south of Drum Inlet in Core Sound, NC. She was found in a lethargic state possibly due to the cool water temperatures in the sound. Marine leeches covered the fleshy areas of the sea turtle and it may be because of the heavy leech load that the animal was also found to be very anemic. The sea turtle was taken to and held overnight at the National Marine Fisheries Service Laboratory on Pivers Island in Beaufort, NC. The following day the sea turtle was transported to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Part of one front flipper is missing but this is an old injury and completely healed. |
| THE CARE: | We had to obtain one more six foot tank to accommodate CC's 200+ pound body. Before placing her in her new tank, the barnacles on her carapace were scraped off and parasites discouraged from further growth using fresh water. To help the immune system this turtle received injections of vitamins and iron. |
| UPDATE: | Released
June
10, 1998
After final blood tests and OK by veterinarian Andy Stamper, CeeCee was driven a short distance down the beach strand of Topsail Beach. She crawled a short distance to the sea, and without a look back, was home. |
CARAPACE:
Shell
INCIDENTALLY
CAPTURED: Means the turtle
was captured in actively and legally
fished commercial or recreational fishing gear.
Turtles can also be incidentally captured
in a dredge, power plant intake canal, or any
other lawfully conducted human activity.
